Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Georgia Schools Add Ionization Devices to HVAC Systems

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/02/21

The Bibb County School District in Macon, Ga., announced in a press release that it will be adding needlepoint bi-polar ionization devices to the HVAC systems in each of its schools.

Designed to clean the air of normal impurities like dirt, mold, and dust, these devices have also been proven to remove 99.9% of infections pathogens—including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. They had already been added to several schools in the district as part of normal renovations and upgrades, including Appling Middle School, John R. Lewis Elementary, and Hartley Elementary. The district expressed a goal to have all of its schools outfitted with the ionization devices by the end of February.

School district communications specialist Jeremy Timmerman calls them an extra layer of protection. “We have masks in place, we have social distancing in place, we have policies for quarantining both faculty, staff, and students for the case of someone contracting the virus or being in contact with the virus,” he said. “This is just another way that we can keep students safe when they come back to the classroom.”

According to a video released by the school district on Twitter, the device ties straight into a school’s HVAC unit and is mounted on the side. It positively charges the air passing through it to create a plasma field. The positive ions that it emits cause the virus to “try to clump together to survive,” robbing the virus of the hydrogen atoms that it needs to stay alive. “Obviously, the more ions you put in the air, the better the system is,” said Sam Kitchens, executive director of Capital Programs, in the video.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Wold Completes Geothermal Projects at Two Minnesota Schools

    Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has completed two geothermal expansion projects for Mounds View Public Schools in Shoreview, Minn., according to a news release. The work at Highview Middle School and Irondale High School serves the district’s long-term goal of reducing energy costs and dependency on non-renewable fuel sources, as well as improving building performance.

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • Washington State District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    Cheney School District No. 360 in Spokane County, Wash., recently announced that construction has begun on a new elementary school, according to local news. The district held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 18 in Airway Heights for the yet-to-be-named school, which is scheduled to open in fall 2027.